Peach tree named ‘Ivory Queen’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a peach tree,  Prunus persica , and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described approximately the third week in June, with first picking on Jun. 18, 2001. The fruit is uniformly medium in size, very good in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone in type, firm in texture, white in flesh color, and full red in skin color. The variety was developed as a self pollinated seedling of ‘Ivory Princess’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,205) white flesh peach.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, theinventor, typically hybridize a large number of nectarine, peach, plum,apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. In an effort to exhibitrecessive traits, I also grow a lesser number of open pollinated seedsof each of these fruits. The present invention relates to a new anddistinct variety of peach tree, which has been denominated varietally as‘IVORY QUEEN’. The present variety was germinated by me in 1996 usingembryoculture techniques in my laboratory, grown as a seedling on itsown root in my greenhouse, and transplanted to a cultivated area of myexperimental orchard at Bradford Farms near Le Grand, Calif. in MercedCounty (San Joaquin Valley). It ws developed as a self pollinatedseedling of ‘Ivory Princess’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,205) white fleshpeach. Subsequent to origination of the present variety of peach tree, Iassexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimentalorchard described above, and such reproduction of plant and fruitcharacteristics were true to the original plant in all respects. Thereproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’. Rootstock(unpatented) upon which the present variety was compatible and true totype.

The present variety is similar to its parent, ‘Ivory Princess’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 11,205) peach, by producing white flesh clingstonepeaches that are globose in shape, firm in texture, and mostly red inskin color, but is distinguished therefrom and an improvement thereon byproducing fruit that matures about 10 days later.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph exhibits four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one fruitdivided transversely to the suture plane to reveal the flesh and stone,and typical leaves.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of peach tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of firm ripe on Jun. 23, 2001, on the original tree during itsfifth growing season. All major color code designations are by referenceto the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau of Standards. Commoncolor names are also used occasionally.

TREE

Size: Medium, reaching and maintaining a height of 13′ [3.96 m.] afterfive growing seasons utilizing typical dormant pruning.

Vigor: Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and fertilization.The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of surplus top-growth during thespring and summer. The plant should be grown on a standard commercialrootstock for production purposes.

Growth: Upright and dense.

Form: Vase formed.

Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.

Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical centralCalifornia climatic conditions, which typically include prolongedperiods of heat.

Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards andrequires regular irrigation.

Production: Very productive, thinning necessary.

Fertility: Self-fertile.

Bearing: Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet observed.

Trunk:

Size.—Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 4″ [102 mm.] after thefifth growing season.

Texture.—Rough.

Bark color.—Grayish brown [61. gy.Br].

Lenticels.—Numerous. Color: Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY]. Average Size:{fraction (5/16)}″ [7.9 mm.].

Branches:

Size.—Diameter of scaffold is 2″ [51 mm.] measured 12″ above the crotch,typical of Prunus persica, and dependent upon cultural practices andclimatic conditions.

Texture.—Smooth on 1st year wood, increasing roughness with age.

Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st Year WoodUnderside: Strong yellow green [117. s. YG]. Older Wood: Moderate brown[58. m.Br].

Lenticels.—Numerous. Color: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr]. TypicalSize: {fraction (1/16)}″ to {fraction (1/14)}″ [1.16-6.4 mm.].

Leaves:

Size.—Large. Average Length: 6½″ [165 mm.]. Average Width: 1{fraction(7/16)}″ [36.5 mm.].

Arrangement.—Alternate.

Thickness.—Medium.

Form.—Elliptical.

Apex.—Acuminate.

Base.—Acute with an average angle of 50 degrees.

Surface.—Smooth.

Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG]. VentralSurface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].

Margin.—Finely serrate.

Venation.—Pinnately net veined.

Petiole.—Average Length: ½″ [12.7 mm.]. Average Thickness: {fraction(1/16)}″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].

Stipules.—Numerous, up to 2 per leaf and 6 per growing tip. AverageLength: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Color: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG] becomingDark brown [59. d.Br] with age.

Glands.—Number: 2 to 5. Position: Mostly alternate, positioned both onthe petiole and the base of blade. Size: Medium. Form: Mature glands arereniform, but have a globose shape when very small and immature. Color:Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].

Leaf buds.—Pointed.

Flower buds:

Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California winters.

Diameter.—Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 1 week before bloom.

Length.—Typically ¾″ [19.1 mm.] 1 week before bloom.

Form.—Not appressed.

Surface.—Pubescent.

Color.—Moderate purplish pink [250. m.pPk].

Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,typically thirty or more stamens, five sepals and petal locationsalternately positioned.

Type.—Showy.

Average flower diameter.—1¾″ [44.5 mm.].

Number of petals.—Usually five.

Petal shape.—Circular.

Petal margin.—Slightly wavy.

Average petal diameter.—{fraction (11/16)}″ [17.5 mm.].

Average petal length.—{fraction (11/16)}″ [17.5 mm.].

Petal apex.—Rounded.

Petal base.—Rounded, slightly wavy.

Petal color.—Pale purplish pink [252. p.pPk].

Anther color.—Dark red [16. d.R] when first open.

Stigma color.—Moderate yellow [87. m.Y].

Sepal color.—Grayish purplish red [262. gy.pR].

Sepal length.—{fraction (3/16)}″ [4.8 mm].

Sepal width.—{fraction (3/16)}″ [4.8 mm].

Average pistil length.—⅝″ [15.9 mm.].

Average stamen length.—⅝″ [15.9 mm.].

Fragrance.—Moderate when nectar is present.

Blooming period.—Late compared with other varieties.

Onset of bloom.—One percent on Mar. 3, 2001.

Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient temperature.

Number per cluster.—Usually 1, rarely more than 2.

FRUIT

Maturity when described: Firm ripe, Jun. 23, 2001.

Date of first picking: Jun. 18, 2001.

Date of last picking: Jul. 28, 2001.

Size: Uniform, medium.

Average diameter axially.—2⅝″ [66.7 mm.].

Average diameter across suture plane.—2¾″ [69.9 mm.].

Typical weight.—6.63 ounces [188 grams].

Form: Uniform, mostly symmetrical, globose with slight axialcompression.

Longitudinal section form.—Roundish, flattened toward the poles.

Transverse section through diameter.—Roundish.

Suture: An inconspicuous line extending from the base to the pistilpoint with some shallow grooving toward the apex.

Ventral surface: Rounded, slightly lipped toward the apex.

Lips: Slightly unequal.

Cavity: Flaring, circular, suture showing on one side, Yellowish white[92. yWhite] stem markings typical.

Depth.—½″ [12.7 mm.].

Breadth.—1″ [25.4 mm.].

Base: Truncate, somewhat cuneate when viewed parallel to the suture.

Apex: Rounded.

Pistil point: Apical, {fraction (1/16)}″ [1.6 mm.] in length, usuallydepressed within the suture.

Stem: Short.

Average length.—{fraction (5/16)}″ [7.9 mm.].

Average width.—{fraction (3/16)}″ [4.8 mm.].

Skin:

Thickness.—Medium.

Surface.—Pubescent.

Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.

Astringency.—Nonastringent.

Tendency to crack.—None observed.

Color.—Very dark red [17. v.d.R] smoothly blending into Moderate red[15. m.R].

Down: Moderate, short, very difficult to roll up when rubbed.

Flesh:

Color.—Yellowish white [92. yWhite] with very slight Deep pink [3. deepPk] flecking close to the skin.

Surface of pit cavity.—Deep pink [3. deep Pk] and Yellowish white [92.yWhite] fibers breaking when twisted from the stone.

Amygdalin.—Scarce.

Juice.—Moderate, rich.

Texture.—Firm, crisp.

Fibers.—Abundant, fine.

Ripens.—Slightly earliest toward the apex.

Flavor.—Subacidic and sweet, ranging from 14 to 15 brix.

Aroma.—Slight.

Eating quality.—Very good.

STONE

Type: Clingstone.

Form: Oval.

Base: Straight.

Apex: Acute, forming an angle of 90 degrees with a protruding tip ⅛″[3.2 mm.] long.

Sides: Equal.

Surface: Irregularly furrowed near the apex and pitted toward the base.

Ridges: Jagged toward the base.

Color: Light yellowish brown [76. l.y.Br].

Average pit wall thickness.—¼″ [6.4 mm.].

Average width: 1{fraction (1/16)}″ [27.0 mm.].

Average length: 1¼″ [31.8 mm.].

Tendency to split: Slight in wet season.

Kernel:

Form.—Oval.

Color.—Brilliant yellow [83. brill.Y] with pronounced Deep yellowishbrown [75. deep yBr] veins.

Taste.—Very bitter.

Viable.—Yes.

Average width.—{fraction (7/16)}″ [11.1 mm.].

Average length.—{fraction (11/16)}″ [17.5 mm.].

Pellicle color.—Deep brown [56. deep Br].

Amygdalin.—Abundant.

USE

Market: Fresh and long distance shipping.

Keeping quality: Fruit quality observed to remain in good condition inexcess of 17 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2° Celsius].

Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

OTHER NOTES

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially asillustrated and described, that is most similar to its parent, ‘IvoryPrincess’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,205) peach, by producing white fleshclingstone peaches that are globose in shape, firm in texture, andmostly red in skin color, but is distinguished therefrom and animprovement thereon by producing fruit that matures about 10 days later.